Report: Saudi Arabia not sending women to Olympics

Published
12:00 am EDT, Thursday, April 5, 2012

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- A Saudi Arabian newspaper says the ultraconservative kingdom will not send women to the London Olympics.

Al-Watan newspaper quoted Prince Nawaf, the head of the Saudi Olympic Committee, saying the kingdom opposes sending female athletes to the Olympics for the first time. But he left room for Saudi women to compete on their own outside the official delegation, a plan that may not satisfy demands by the International Olympic Committee.

A similar arrangement was made at the Youth Olympics in 2010 for Saudi equestrian competitor Dalma Rushdi Malhas to participate. She won a bronze medal in show jumping.

Officials at the Saudi Olympic Committee could not be reached for comment.

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